Animal Caretakers Pay Range in Iowa
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$22,450
- 25th Percentile — Junior$27,240
- 50th Percentile — Median$30,080
- 75th Percentile — Senior$35,140
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$45,610
Half of Animal Caretakers in Iowa earn more than $30,080. The top 10% make $45,610 or more, while entry-level workers start around $22,450.
Animal Caretakers in Iowa: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Iowa ranks 44th of 51 states for Animal Caretakers pay, at $32,900 per year (11.8% below the U.S. average of $37,300).
- 3,480 people work as Animal Caretakers in Iowa — 1.3% of all U.S. Animal Caretakers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.30: Animal Caretakers jobs are more concentrated in Iowa than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $22,450; the top 10% earn over $45,610.
- Hourly equivalent: $15.82 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $46,510.
- Among personal services jobs in Iowa, Skincare Specialists pays the most ($59,230).
Animal Caretakers Job Market in Iowa
Key factors affecting compensation
Iowa's key industries are Agriculture, Manufacturing, Finance, and its job market is rated moderate. Animal Caretakers here earn $32,900 on average, placing the state 44th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.86 (U.S. = 1.00), a Iowa salary of $32,900 is roughly equivalent to $38,256 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, North Carolina ($33,870), Michigan ($33,850), South Dakota ($33,700) are the closest alternatives for Animal Caretakers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Personal Services Jobs in Iowa
Related career salary benchmarks
- Skincare Specialists $59,230/yr Iowa +80.0% vs this role
- Barbers $54,470/yr Iowa +65.6% vs this role
- Manicurists and Pedicurists $42,300/yr Iowa +28.6% vs this role
- Hairdressers Hairstylists and Cosmetologists $40,410/yr Iowa +22.8% vs this role
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $38,290/yr Iowa +16.4% vs this role
- Recreation Workers $34,740/yr Iowa +5.6% vs this role
- Childcare Workers $29,280/yr Iowa 11.0% vs this role
- Travel Guides $28,730/yr Iowa 12.7% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Animal Caretakers salary in Iowa?
The average Animal Caretakers salary in Iowa is $32,900 per year (median $30,080), which is 11.8% below the national average of $37,300.
How does Iowa rank for Animal Caretakers pay?
Iowa ranks 44th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($46,510/yr).
How much do entry-level Animal Caretakers make in Iowa?
The lowest-paid 10% of Animal Caretakers in Iowa earn about $22,450 per year and the 25th percentile is $27,240.
How much do Animal Caretakers make per hour in Iowa?
About $15.82 per hour, based on the $32,900 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Animal Caretakers work in Iowa?
BLS counts 3,480 Animal Caretakers jobs in Iowa (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data